Top researcher to highlight the human impact on Earth

12 January 2016

Top geological researcher to highlight the human impact on Earth

A leading geologist and Antarctic climate researcher from the University of Cambridge will deliver two free public lectures at Victoria University of Wellington this week.

Dr Colin Summerhayes, Emeritus Associate at the Scott Polar Research Institute and a Victoria alumnus, will shed light on two key issues of climate change during his visit to Wellington.

In his first lecture, Dr Summerhayes will examine the changes in the Earth’s temperature, based on findings in his latest book Earth’s Climate Evolution.

He will discuss how changes in CO2 levels—like those of today—can cause temperature changes. He will give evidence from samples of sediment and ice that demonstrate periods of warming or cooling, and highlight the need for mankind to be cautious about putting more CO2 into the atmosphere.

Dr Summerhayes’ second talk will examine the evidence showing that Earth has entered a new geological epoch called the ‘Anthropocene’.

The research, co-authored by Dr Summerhayes and published in international journal Science last week, explores how human impact on Earth has fundamentally changed the planet’s geological make-up.

He will outline the ground breaking study, which demonstrates how accelerating technology and growth in population and consumption from the 1950s onwards builds a strong case for the new epoch to be formally declared.

Dr Colin Summerhayes

Colin Summerhayes is an Emeritus Associate of the Scott Polar Research Institute of Cambridge University. He graduated with a Master of Science from Victoria University of Wellington in 1967, before completing his doctorate at the Imperial College in London. He has carried out research on past climate change in both academia and industry and co-edited several books. Dr Summerhayes has managed research programmes on climate change for the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research of the International Council for Science.

Lecture one: Earth's Climate Evolution

When: Thursday 14 January, 7.30pm

Where: Government Buildings, Lecture Theatre 1, Pipitea Campus, Victoria University of Wellington

Lecture two: The Anthropocene—A New Geological Epoch Driven by Human Impacts

When: Friday 15 January, 4pm

Where: Cotton Building, Seminar Room CO304, Victoria University, Gate 7, Kelburn Parade

ends

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